VLI reports record volumes on the Northern Corridor in 2025

VLI, a logistics solutions company operating railways, ports, and terminals, achieved record cargo volumes on its Northern Corridor last year, reinforcing the region as a strategic axis for the flow of Brazilian production.

The corridor—comprising the northern section of the North-South Railway, operated under concession by VLI, and the Carajás Railway—handled approximately 15 billion TKU (tonne-kilometers) during the period, a 4.1% increase compared to 2024.

This strong performance was directly reflected at the São Luís Port Terminal (TPSL), VLI’s terminal located at the Port of Itaqui in Maranhão, which also reached a historic milestone by handling nearly 5.8 million tonnes through Berth 105 over the year.

“We believe the North is the natural route for cargo from the entire Matopiba region, captured by our logistics corridor. The records achieved demonstrate the robustness of our integrated system and the fundamental role of the infrastructure VLI provides for the country’s logistics development. We continue to invest in efficiency, safety, and reliability to support the growth of our clients and the Brazilian economy, with low-carbon logistics,” said Cesar Toniolo, VLI’s Northern Corridor Operations Director.

The Northern Corridor handles cargo such as grains (soybeans, corn, and meals), pulp, fuels, and pig iron. In addition to the rail network and port, the corridor includes three strategically located intermodal terminals: Porto Franco (Maranhão), Porto Nacional, and Palmeirante (both in Tocantins).

Regional integration

As part of the Northern Corridor, the Porto Nacional (TIPN) and Palmeirante (TIPA) intermodal terminals completed ten years of operation in 2026, totaling approximately 59 million tonnes of cargo handled over the period.

Between 2016, when operations began, and 2025, cargo volumes at these units increased from 1.9 million tonnes to 8 million tonnes, representing a 320% increase.

The terminals were developed through investments exceeding R$260 million (at the time). Focused on agribusiness, TIPA and TIPN handle grains—soybeans and corn—meals, and fertilizers, performing two key functions: transferring cargo from trucks to rail and providing storage capacity for local producers.

The terminals are part of VLI’s Northern Corridor, which includes the northern section of the North-South Railway, controlled by the company since its creation in 2010, and the Carajás Railway, where VLI trains operate under trackage rights to access the São Luís port system.

In Maranhão’s capital, VLI operates the São Luís Port Terminal at the Port of Itaqui, through which commodities are exported to global markets.

Cargo movement in the corridor also reflects regional growth and the importance of VLI’s integrated system. Over a ten-year period, from 2016 to 2025, the company’s rail volumes increased from 5.4 billion TKU to 14.9 billion TKU—a metric that combines total cargo transported and distance traveled.

Source: VLI Logística

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